Church bells and carillons are the legacy of times past, when the rhythms of worship and prayer structured the lives of the surrounding community as a reminder of what time it is now, and what we are called to do with the time we have. And those same bells would interrupt routines in alarm or jubilation, announcing tragedy or celebration, in times of war and times of peace, just as the sacred intrudes into our daily lives, closing one pathway forever and opening others into…who knows what, until we get there.
The continual setting and breaking of routines, the creating of expectations and their ultimate fulfillment or abandonment (for all expectations come to an end, and new ones rise in their place), represents a fundamental life lesson. In consciously acknowledging and participating in the dance of routine and interruption, the moment of our lives and moments of our living become that much richer.

This article is cross-posted from a Photo Voice project answering the question, “What assets does the community bring to education and learning?” See the photos and stories of the youth, as individuals and teams, on the full site, SE Seattle FreedomNet.